[Envinyatar]

Well south of the Great East Road, near the angle where the Hoarwell and the Loudwater joined, they made camp. Carl had wondered at the insistence of Olo that they head into this area, but he followed the lead of the now silent Ranger. To a small clearing amid the thickly forested hillocks they had ridden their horses. Olo looked carefully about the place and satisfied at what he saw, gave the signal to dismount.

‘Someone has been here before us.’ remarked Carl. He squatted near the long cold remains of a campfire, and motioned toward a small pile of wood, neatly stacked by it. ‘Yes,’ said Olo, smiling, ‘and a Ranger by the looks of it.’ Carl frowned, wondering how he had come to this conclusion.

It was mid afternoon, and they were to meet Bullroarer in two days time just west of the Last Bridge. They had come upon signs of the information that the Took wanted, and Carl had wanted to head back sooner. But Olo had insisted that they come south, to this place, and Carl, unfamiliar with this region had followed him. He had asked several times why they were headed in this direction but Olo had either changed the subject or had kept silent.

Now the Ranger crouched down by the fire pit with Carl, and began to lay the fire. Soon they had a merry little blaze going and had gathered a fair stack of wood to keep them through the evening and into night. Carl drew out his pipe and leaned back against his pack. The horses were nearby grazing. He offered the pouch of Longbottom Leaf to Olo, but the Ranger declined.

‘I should like you to stay here, near the fire, if you will. Keep your bow near at hand, though I think that this close, you will not be bothered.’ He slung his own bow at his back and made to mount his horse.

‘Close to what?’ queried the puzzled Carl, his brow furrowing as he stood up.

Olo looked at him, taking the measure of his honor. He had traveled with him now for sometime, and found the hunter to be a trustworthy companion. The Ranger shifted in his saddle, weighing his words carefully. ‘This is for your ears only, and no other. Do I have your word on that?’ Carl nodded his head once in agreement, and stood silent, waiting for Olo to continue.

‘The Rangers of the North have long kept a fastness here where the two rivers meet. It is a well guarded place, and from here they range far and wide seeking information to keep the balance always tipped toward the Light. I know that we have found some signs of the information that Bullroarer requested, but if you will allow me the time, I will glean from them all the information concerning this issue.’ He looked up at the angle of the sun. ‘I will be back before sunset. Keep safe ‘til then.’ He flicked the reins lightly and with a soft word to his mount went swiftly southward.

Carl watched him until he disappeared from sight, then brought his horse nearer to him and built up the fire. He sat and leaned back once again against his pack to smoke. But his eyes were wary and alert, and his bow and quiver close at hand.

[ January 28, 2003: Message edited by: Envinyatar ]